Ask. Hope. Listen.

God is not afraid of or intimidated by the ‘big’ questions in life. He loves to be the One we lean on and run to in order to acquire answers. When we ask God about our life, do we listen? I think that listening is a skill that is often glossed over or not acknowledged as the crux of it all. If we need God to help us and to guide us, we need to listen.

The scripture that says, “Lord, I will wait for you; You will answer, Lord my God” (Psalm 38:15) should be our heart’s cry. There are many questions that we seek the Lord on, but I want to challenge us, as I have been challenged, and ask are you listening for His answer. The Lord does not play games with us. He is not toying with our emotions when He doesn't answer in our timing. His answers are always perfectly timed and perfectly given.

His answers bring peace. His answers bring direction and are robed in His love.

Another aspect of asking and listening is ‘hoping’. Often when we ask God for answers, direction, or blessings we hope in THOSE, as opposed to hoping in the One who can bring those. The verses Paul wrote, Romans 4:20-21, are amazing in this aspect.

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

            It is not the gifts, the answers, to direction, the open doors or anything other than God Himself that we can hope in. Hebrews 6:18-19 says “…we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” When we place our HOPE in the Lord Himself we are firm and secure. We are not those that are easily rocked, toppled, or knocked down. We can confidently ask and wait and listen.

            When we need answers, where and how do we ask them? AND how do we position ourselves to receive the answer?

I am freshly challenged to ask, hope and listen to the Father. Are you?